guese, Manuel Rivero Pardal, landed men on
the north side of the island, burnt some houses and carried off a number
of the inhabitants as prisoners.[284] On 2nd July the governor and
council issued a commission to Henry Morgan, as commander-in-chief of
all ships of war belonging to Jamaica, to get together the privateers
for the defence of the island, to attack, seize and destroy all the
enemy's vessels he could discover, and in case he found it feasible, "to
land and attack St. Jago or any other place where ... are stores for
this war or a rendezvous for their forces." In the accompanying
instructions he was bidden "to advise his fleet and soldiers that they
were upon the old pleasing account of no purchase, no pay, and therefore
that all which is got, shall be divided amongst them, according to the
accustomed rules."[285]

Morgan sailed from Jamaica on 14th August 1670 with eleven vessels and
600 men for the Isle la Vache, the usual rendezvous, whence during the
next three months squadrons were detailed to the coast of Cuba and the
mainland of South America to collect provisions and intelligence. Sir
William Godolphin was at that moment in Madrid concluding articles for
the establishment of peace and friendship in America; and on 12th June
Secretary Arlington wrote to Modyford that in view of these negotiations
his Majesty commanded the privateers to forbear all hostilities on land
against the Spaniards.[286] These orders reached Jamaica on 13th August,
whereupon the governor recalled Morgan, who had sailed from the harbour
the day before, and communicated them to him, "strictly charging him to
observe the same and behave with all moderation possible in carrying on
the war." The admiral replied that necessity would compel him to land in
the Spaniards' country for wood, water and provisions, but unless he was
assured that the enemy in their towns were making hostile preparations
against the Jamaicans, he would not touch any of them.[287] On 6th
September, however, Vice-Admiral Collier with six sail and 400 men was
dispatched by Morgan to the Spanish Main. There on 4th November he
seized, in the harbour of Santa Marta, two frigates laden with
provisions for Maracaibo. Then coasting eastward to Rio de la Hacha, he
attacked and captured the fort with its commander and all its garrison,
sacked the city, held it to ransom for salt, maize, meat and other
provisions, and after occupying it for almost a month returned on 28th